THE LARVA BORN. 87 



oxygen of the air undoubtedly was necessary to its 

 health^ and the fulfilment of its early functions, 

 but no more. Not chemistry, nor electricity, nor 

 heat, nor any other known force could effect this 

 wonderful change of apparently inanimate fluid 

 into a lively, active, and well-organized being ; 

 much less could either of these give it its definite 

 form, causing one larva to differ from another 

 in its characters. No, we cannot tell how it has 

 taken place, nor what has wrought the change ; 

 but we know the author of it even Him who 

 from the beginning created all things, and esta- 

 blished those principles which, though hidden 

 from our eyes, work out the marvels of the 

 created world. It is enough for us to know and 

 to remember this. Should we attempt more, we 

 should probably fall under the Scripture reproof, 

 " Professing themselves to be wise, they became 

 fools." 



Speaking generally, insects in the larva form 

 appear as fleshy worms, having long and round 

 bodies, marked with rings, and provided with a 

 head and a certain number of legs, mostly six. 

 How different in this condition, from the ball- 

 room gaiety of the butterfly, or the elegant robes 



